Curious snake - First Prize in the category "Fun" of Panoramio Contest in April 2012

First Prize in the category "Fun" of Panoramio Contest in April 2012 !
April 2012 Contest Winner.
This picture was taken in Cocullo (Italy), during the Feast of San Domenico (Snake Festival). Cocullo is known for his singular patron saint's holiday, named Festa dei Serpari, in which the patron saint's statue (Domenico di Sora) is transported in procession covered with lot of snakes (four-lined, aesculapian, grass and green whip snakes). The reptiles are captured in the surrounding woods and transported in procession by local serpari, a sort of "snake breeders", and released at the end of the holiday. The festival is a receptive event for thousands of Italian and foreign visitors. Many photographers come to take pictures of snakes. Here one of the four-lined snakes was very intrigued by the camera and approached to look into the lens. And I was lucky to capture this moment. It was a great and pleasant surprise for me to win the First Prize ! Thank you very much for your votes, visit and kind comments, many warm greetings to you all !

Comments (147)

Thank you very much for your visit and beautiful comments, it's a big pleasure for me ! I let you know that the snake in the picture is not dangerous fortunatly. Many greetings to you all !
Grazyna Anna

Anna I am taking an interest , How and where you do that picture, it is good to know the situation, if it is possible please explain it to us, Poison not poison that is snake. Greetings from Sofia, Bulgaria

Thank you again for your congratulation and kind comments ! For Mariyana: I wrote under the photo explanation of the situation in which I took this picture. I'm very glad of your interest. Many warm greetings to you all !